Apparatus for handling sand and similar material



Oct. 11, 1932. w. E. NAYLOR APPARATUS FOR HANDLING smn nn smm MATERIAL 4Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Aug. 1. 1929 Oct. 11, 1932. "w. E. NAYLOR APPARATUSFOR HANDLING SAND AND SIMILAR MATERIAL Filed Aug. 1. 192's v 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 11, 1932. 1,882,440;

nrm'ws FOR HANDLING slum Ann sun-1m u'raam.

W. E. NAYLOR 4 she'ets-sneet 4 Filed A 1. 1929 Patented Oct. 11,- 1932UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER E. NAYLOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNOR TO THE BEABDSLEY & PIPER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION OF ILLINOIS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SAND AN'I) SIMILARMATERIAL Application filed August 1, 1929. Serial No. 882,659.

'from the conveyor into a tank so that the delivery of sand will bediscontinued when the tank has been filled-to a predetermined level.

' Another object is to provide a system of this type with means forautomatically controlling the operation of the 'conveyor, so

that the conveyor will remain operative only when required to fill thetanks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system in which one ormore tanks are supplied with sand from an endless con veyor with meansfor automatically controlling the operation of the -conveyor, andmechanism for supplying sand tothe conveyor, so that they will beoperated only when sand is required to fill one or more of the tanks,and so that the operation of the conveyor and said mechanism will bediscontinued when the tanks have-been filled.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detaileddescription.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter setforth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.l

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an' elevation of a system embodying theinvention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line 2-2 of Fig.

1. Fig. 3 is a section through a portion of,

one of the tanks and the associated switch mechanism controlled by theload in the tank.

' Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the. sand deflecting devices.Fig. 5 is a plan ofone of the deflecting devices. Fig. 6 is a diagram ofthe electrical connections for automatical- 1y controlling the operationof the system. The invention is exemplified in a system comprising astorage tank or reservoir A which is adapted to hold a supply of sandsufiicient in quantity for supply the system. An endless slat-conveyor aat the bottom of this reservoir is adapted to feed the sand in regulatedquantity from the reservoir to an elevator B. An electric motor a issuitably connected to drive the conveyor a by means of a sprocket chaina and speed reducing gearing a between said sprocket and the shaft a forthe ulley which drives said conveyor. The san -elevator B comprises aleg I) and an endless chain bequipped with 5 buckets 6 a lower idlersprocket b and an upper drive sprocket b for chain 6 An electric motor'bis connected to drive the shaft of elevator-sprocket b through suitablespeed-reducing gearing b. The conveyor a" discharges the sand into ahopper b which directs it into elevator-buckets b which convey itupwardly in leg 6- and deliver it into a discharge spout b. An endlessconveyor C, supported on a suitable framework 0', 7 is provided toconvey the sand along the room for distribution and delivery into tanksD which are suitably supported under said conveyor. An electric motor 0is connected .to drive the distributing-conveyor G, by 0 means of asprocket-chain 0 and speedreducing gearing 0, which drives a pulley 0around which the conveyor-belt O passes. At its other end said beltpasses around an idler pulley c. This conveyor is supported 5 at itsends by said pulleys 0 0 and therebetween by upper rolls' 0 and lowerrolls 0", which are mountedin bearings secured to longitudinal beams 10of frame-work 0 Above each tank D is a discharge-device E m for strikingor deflecting the sand from the conveyor belt C so it will fall over thesides of the belt and into, the tank. Each discharge device E comprisesa V-shaped plow. or deflector 11 which is adapted to overlie, 05 andextends across the upper face of the conveyor-belt C, so that the sandcarried by the moving belt will be deflected. oil the margins of thebelt and fall into the subjacent tank D. The plow 11 is fixed to arms 12and f over the belt C or raised above the sand on the belt, so it willbe inoperative to dis+ I charge the sand into the subjacent tank.

The mechanism for raising and lowering the plow 11 comprises an electrictorque motor 14 which is mounted at one side of the belt C on across-beam 15 which is fixed to'lon- 'tudinal beams 10; a sprocket-wheel16 xed to the shaft of said motor; a chain 17 driven by said sprocketand a sprocket wheel 18 which is fixed to one end of rockshaft 13. Theplow 11 and arms 12 are adapted to fall by gravity. and an arm 19 withan adjustable weight 20 serve to provide suflicient counterweight toprevent the sudden dropping of the plow. Motor 14 is torque wound sothat when current is supplied there- Y to its' armature will beenergized to rotate sprocket 16 in one direction until the. low 11 islifted into its inoperative'position a ove the sand on belt C, and toretain it in raised positionuntil the current is cut off so that theplow will be free to fall by gravity. A suitable stop 21- is providedfor limiting the lifting of the plow by the motor. Stops 21 areadjustablfsecured by nuts to bar 21 which is fixed to the plow, so theplow when lowered will be held over the belt C without resting thereon.A plate 22 underlies the conveyor belt C to keep it flat under 'eachplow-11. Each plate 22 is supported by cross-bars 23 which are fixed tothe beams 10. Shaft 13 is mounted in bearing brackets 24. which arefixed to the beams 10. This construction exemplifies a deviceforstriking or deflecting sand from the distributing endless conveyor C,and raising and lowering mechanism therefor which comprises an electricmotor, which may be automatically controlled as hereinafter set forth.

Each tank D is equipped in one of its sides with a diaphragm d which maybe of flexible material, such as cloth or suitable rubber. An

opening (1 is formed in the tank D, across which the diaphragm d isextended, so it will be deflected outwardlyby the pressure of the,

sand. in the tank to automatically control -switch-mechanism. The marginof this diaphragm is clamped by bolts (1 between the contiguous sidewallof the tank and the flange dof a rectan lar frame or box 41. The centralor de ectable portion of the diaphragm is connected to operateswich-mechanism for controlling a circuit for the operation of onev ofthe torque motors 14 and also circuits for controlling the operation ofthe motors a, b, and -c. This switch-mechanism' comprises a slidablesleeve 30, a pair of stationary contacts 31 and 32 which are adapted tobe electrically connected by a flange 33 on sleeve 30, and a pair ofstationary contacts 34 and 35 which are adapted to be electri- All ofthese stationary contacts are-.mounted cally dbnnected by a flange 36 onsaid sleeve. 7

on a bar 37lof insulatin material whichis'.

secured in the box 12.

leeve 30 is slidably mounted in bar 37. A stem 38, fixed'toa plate 39which'is secured by bolts 40 to the f diaphragm d, is adapted to slidein sleeve30,

the outward movement of the diaphragm by the sand in the tank D until ithas been apj.

roximately filled or a predetermined quanity of sand has been deliveredinto the tank,

so that the'stem 38 will, when the tank has been filled, be movedoutwardly bythe pressure of the sand in. the tank'against diaphragm d,to shift the sleeve 30 to establish a circuit through the torque motor14, to

raise the deflector 11 which discharges sand into said tank. Contacts 34and 35 also control a circuit for causing the motor a to drive conveyorC to deliver sand to. the deflectors 11 while the associated tank D isnot full, and flange 36 is separate from said contacts when the sleeve30 is shi ed outwardly by a full load in the tank. Flange 33 is normally1 separated from contacts 31 and 32 so that circuit forthe motor 14 foroperating the associated deflector will remain open until the diaphragmd has been shifted by a full load in the tank. When the tank has been:filled, the flange 33 of sleeve 30 will bridge contacts 31 and 32 toclose a circuit for the operation of the motor 14 to lift the associateddeflector 11 and discontinue the disphragm d to prevent excessivepressure against the stationarycontacts, by the material which fallsinto the tank after the deflector has been raised, or bythe spring 41when the tank is empty.

The electrical equipment comprises a line composed of conductors 41, 42,and 43 connected to a suitable source of current; athree blade switch44, connected to the line conductors respectively; conductors 45, 46 and47 which are connected to the blades of said switch and respectively tothe motor-a for driving the belt a which feeds sand to the elevator fromreservoir A, the motor 5, which drives the elevator B, and the motor 0which drives the distributer belt C; overload relays 48 included inconductors 45, 46, and 47 to cut off current when the load becomesexcessive; a relay for closing switch 44 comprising an armature 50'connected to switch 44 a helix 49 included in a conductor 51 which isconnected to the line conductor 43 and through the overload relays tothe con-- tacts 34 of all the pressure-operated switches associated withthe tanks D; a switch 52 for each motor 14 having three blades includedrespectively in branch conductors 41*, 42" and 43 which are connected tothe line-conductors; relays for closing switches 52, each comprising ahelix 53 included in a conductor 54 which leads from the conductor 43 toa contact 31 and an armature 56; and conductors 55, each connected toone of the conductors 42and to contacts 32 and of each of thepressure-operated switches. Switch 44 is held normally open b a spring58. A switch 59 is included in con uctor 51, so that the system may bemanually controlled and stopped when desired.

The operation of the system is as follows:

Assuming tanks D to be empty, the electrical connections will be asshown in Fig. 6. The circuits through motors 14 will be open anddeflectors 11 will be lowered. A circuit through helix 49 for shiftingarmature 50 to close the switch 44 and circuits through motors a", b",and a will be established as follows: line conductor 42, branchconductor 42', conductors 55, contacts 35, flange 36 of sleeve 3Q,contact 34, conductor 51, in which helix 49 is included, and lineconductor 43. As a result, helix 49 will be energized, and armature 50will close switch 44 and establish circuits which will simultaneouslycause the motor a to drive belt a for delivering sand from tank A to theelevator, the motor 6 to drive the elevator B which will deliver thesand onto the conveyor belt C and the motor 0 which will drive thedistributer' belt a C. As long as any of the pressure operated the tanksD, the circuits for the operation of the torque motors 14 being open atswitches 52. When any of the tanks D has been filled, the pressure ofthe sand therein will operate its diaphragm d and shift the associatedswitch sleeve 30 outwardly to close a circuit through the associatedhelix 53 to operate its armature 56 and close switch 52 to connect theassociated motor 14 to the line and cause it to lift the deflector 11 towhich it is connected, into its inoperative position, and thus causethe'discharge of sand into that tank to be discontinued, These circuits,through helices 53 will be as follows: conductors 42, 42, conductor 55,contacts 32, flange 33 of sleeve'30, contact 31, conductor 54, inwhich ahelix 53 is included,'and conductors 43* and 43. This will cause thehelices 56 to shiftswitches 52 and close the circuits for motors 14. Aslon as the ressure operated switches remain 1n their s ifted positions,the motors 14 will be operative to hold the deflectors 11 raised or.inoperative. As soon as the sand is discharged from any of the tanks D,spring 41 will retract sleeve 30 to interrupt the circuit through itsassociated helix 53, and switch 52 Wlllbe opened by its spring 57, tocutoficu'r int from the associated motor 14, so it will? ermit thedeflector 11, connected thereto, .to drop. So long as any of thepressure-operated switches remains in its normal position, the circuitthrough helix 49 will remain closed to continue the operation of motorsa 6 and 0 so that the delivery of the sand 'will be continued until allof the tanks D have been filled. When all of the tanks D have been.filled, the delivery of sand by the conveyor C will be discontinued,because the circuit through helix 49 will be interrupted at all contacts34, and 35, so that the switch 44 will be released and restored to itsopen position by spring 58. Thereupon, the cirthen shift switch 44 toautomatically start the operation of motors (1 ,5 and c for deliveringsand to the deflectors 14. When this occurs, the switch 52, associatedwith the empty tank D, will be open so the deflector above the tank willbe lowered, and the switch 52 associated with a full tank D will beclosed, so the deflector 11 associated with the latter tank will beinoperative. Each tank D is usually equipped with a motor drivenconveyor 60 for discharging sand therefrom into receptacles.

The invention exemplifies means for automatically controlling theoperation'of devices for discharging the material from the conveyor-beltinto the tanks. tion also exemplifies means which, when the tank hasbeen filled, will automatically discontinue the discharge of sand fromthe belt into the subjacent tank, and which, when the material in thetank falls below a predetermined level, will be automatically renderedoperative to fill the tank. The invention also exemplifies a sanddelivery system adapted for discharging sand into a plurality of tanks,with means-for automatically con trolling the delivery of sand bythe-conveyor, so that the delivery of sand will be automate icallydiscontinued when the tanks are filled and automatically started whenthetanks The invenare empty. The invention also exemplifies meanscomprising an electric-motor for shiftthe discharge device into and outof ope'r 1. In a system of the character described,

the combination of an endless conveyor for continuously supplyingmaterial, a receptacle for receiving the material from the conveyor, adeflector for discharging the material from the conveyor into thereceptacle,

positioned above the conveyor and pivoted to swing upwardly into and outof its operative position, means for swinging the deflector upwardly outof operative position-with respect to the conveyor comprising anelectric motor, and switch-means, controlled by the material in thereceptacle, for controlling the operation of the motor.

, 2. In a system of the character described,

the combination ofan endless conveyor for supplying material, mechanismfor delivering the material to saidconveyor, a receptacle for receivingthe material from the conveyor, a movably mounted deflector fordischarging the material from the conveyor into the receptacle,mechanism for driving the conveyor, mechanism for driving the de-vlivery mechanism, means for shifting the deflectorinto and out ofoperative position, controlled by the material in the receptacle, andmeans, also controlled by the material in the receptacle, for conjointlycontrolling the operation of the driving, conveyor and deliverymechanisms.

3. In a system of the character described, the combination of an endlessconveyor for supplying material, an elevator for delivering the materialto the conveyor, a receptacle for receiving the material from theconveyor, a movablymounted deflector for discharging the material fromthe conveyor into the receptacle, mechanism for driving the conveyor,mechanism for driving the elevator, means for shifting the deflectorinto and out of its operative positionflcontrolled by the .material inthe receptacle, and means also controlled by the material in thereceptacle for conjointly controlling the operation of drivingmechanisms .for the conveyor and elevator. Y

4. In a system of the character described, the combination of an endlessconveyor for supplying material, mechanism for deliver: t e materialonto the conveyor, a plufity of receptacles .for receiving the materialfromthe conveyor, movably mounted deflectors for discharging materialfrom the conveyor into the race tacles respectively,

for e conveyor, mecha- 1 ni'sm for driving the delivery mechanism,'means for shifting the deflectors into and out of their operativepositions, controlled by the material in the receptacles respectively,and means, also controlled by the material in the recgptacles, forconjointly controlling the operation of said driving mechanisms to stopautomatically the conveyor and delivery mechanism when all of thereceptacles have been filled, and to start them when the material in anyreceptacle falls below a prependently shifting-the @eflectors into and.

out of their operative positions controlled by the material in thereceptacles, and switch- ,means controlled by the material in all thereceptacles, to control conjointly the motors for driving the conveyorand the delivery mechanism.

6: In a-system of the character described, the combination of an endlessconveyor for supplying material, an electric motor for driving theconveyor, mechanism for delivering material to the conveyor, an electricmotor for driving the delivery mechanism, receptacles for receiving thematerial from the conveyor at different points, movably mounteddeflectors for discharging the ma-' terial from the conveyor into thereceptacles respectively, electric motors for independently shifting thedeflectors into and out of their operative positions, switch means,controlled by the material in the receptacles, for controlling thedeflector shifting motors to render the deflectors inoperative, andswitchmeans, also controlled by the material in the receptacles forconjointly controlling the motors for driving the conveyor and thedelivery mechanism.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 26th day of July, 1929.

WALTER NAYLOR.

